Dive Review of divingDR/private arrangement in
Dominican Republic/Bayahibe

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divingDR/private arrangement, Jan, 2009, by Terri Feinblum, MD, USA ( Reviewer 4 reports with 3 Helpful votes). Report 4733.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations	N/A	Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	Vladi Heger runs a great, small operation. His diveboat, Sharkey, has a canopy for sun protection and a ladder to easily re-enter the boat. My husband and I were the only divers, and more could have been accommodated. We entered the boat from the beach, and did an easy backroll entry at the dive sites. We were pleased with the whole experience. We did two dives each day for five consecutive days and one night dive. The crew (Vladi and son Vlad) was willing to assist us in any way necessary to give us the best dive experience ever. This included trips to less explored sights where no other divers were around. We appreciated having our tanks set up and carried, and also a secure place to clean and stow our gear each night. We took our dive computers and cameras with us, as advised. Two day trips to Catalina and Saona Islands did not disappoint. We were unable to dive at Catalanita, as the channel currents were very strong the whole week. The Aquarium site at Catalina had abundant schools of fish. Saona was more peaceful, and the reefs more pristine. On the way to Saona we were awed by hundreds of flying fish skimming above the waves; it was a beautiful sight to behold! We had a scrumptious lunch on the islands, between the morning and afternoon dives, mostly home made. We returned through the mangroves, and saw starfish scattered across the shallow bottom. On all other days we did a.m. two-tank dives; snacks and beverages were supplied and enjoyed. The night dive, a 5 minute boat ride away, was great, and we recommend that as well. One morning dive of interest: The St. Georges Wreck was sunk about 12 years ago and has settled in as an artificial reef, at about 130 feet (140 on the sand). Many side and top panels are open, and there is much to be seen without penetrating the wreck. Most of the dives were less than 80 feet deep, and we saw wonderful critters: a loggerhead turtle, big squids, octopuses, crabs, lobsters, 2 large morays, an enormous ray, and other great macro. Vladi did not rush us, as I take UW photographs, often of tiny creatures. He was also helpful with the camera, and had an exclusive camera rinse tank on the boat, and another one at the dive shop. Vladi arranged our airport transportation from Santa Domingo to Viva Dominicus in La Romana( a Euro resort), and his family members transported us to the dive shop and back each day. We recommend diving with Vladi. It is not inexpensive; it was a private dive of total quality. They are English speaking, and you don’t hear much English in Bayahibe. We had a blast! We are staying in touch and plan on exploring new sites with Vladi in the future. The best way to contact Vladi is at info@divingDR. Denise Heger will answer your questions and make the reservations. If I realized how cold the water was, I would have worn my 3 mm wetsuit, with a 3mm shorty on top, and a hood. We had a great time, and would have been more comfortable with more protection. I learned later that the cab rates are negotiable. For your safety and clarification purposes, if you arrange your own transportation, write down the final amount on a piece of paper and have your driver sign it. In case of dispute, cabbies rule, and it is frowned upon to cheat cabbies.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	101-250 dives
Where else diving	Cozumel, Mx, Puerto Aventura, Mx, Sosua Bay, DR, Key Largo, FL USA,
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, windy	Seas	choppy
Water Temp	76-78°F / 24-26°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	-60 Ft/ -18 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	We followed a safe plan.
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	1 or 2
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	1 or 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	Vladi had a rinse tank on the boat for the camera, and also one on shore, filled with clean water.

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Dive Review of divingDR/private arrangement in Dominican Republic/Bayahibe

divingDR/private arrangement, Jan, 2009,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of divingDR/private arrangement in
Dominican Republic/Bayahibe